i need to pull the radio out of my 1983 ford ranger and am looking for anyone that has an idea of how to get the dash cover out to get to all the works behind? Any help would be greatly appretiated.

 

If your radio has two little round holes on each side of the radio. get the two pronged set of radio pullers, inset 1 puller on one side and the other on the other side. That should release the radio and allow you to pull the unit out of the dash without having to remove anything else.

Let us know how it goes.

 

If factory, you have to remove several panels to gain access. There are two panels at the level of the headlight switch. They pull dirctly off, using springy posts jammed into the sheetmetal of the dash as retainers. To get the left panel off, you must remove the light switch shaft&****. Under the dash, on one side of the headlight switch there is a spring loaded button that you press, while at the same time pulling on the headlight switch. If you do it right, the shaft will pull out. If the lights come on, you can press gently to turn them off, but if you press too hard, the shaft will get retained again.
One the shaft is out the left panel can be removed. The ashtray should be pulled out, press the lever in the center-rear and it will slide out.
Under the two covers there are 4 screws to remove, and 4 screws {shorties} on the underside of the upper padding. Slide a blade behind the upper dash cover plastic panel, and work it across from the passenger side to drivers to free the upper panel from the underside of the crash pad. Tilt it, the upper edge, towards you, and slide it to the right. It will clear with a little maneuvering.
The radio is held in by screws on the face plate that was hidden behind the dash cover. There may be one bolt on the rear{actually towards the front of the truck} panel of the radio, which is threaded through a support, and held in place by a nut. Pull radio partway out and disconnect wires as needed. Assembly is reverse, and the headlight switch shaft will press into place with a snap, and be retained.
tom

 

My radio comes out the way Michigan66 explained it.

 

A 83 Ranger will be as tomw explained it..........if it's stock.
If not, many people just attach the newer DIN chassis stereos to the front dash face, not very strong but it works, easy to remove too.
Many times the dash face has been butchered to accept a newer stereo after being a 2-shaft originally, you may want to go to a wrecking yard and find a 85-88 dash face that already accepts the new style.

 

This is how to remove radio: